Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-05-12
Letters to my Daughters1
IMPERIAL HOTEL, CORK, I
Ireland, April Sth, 1887. ]

OIL, 1901. }
Ny Dear Daughter II
take the chance of the first leisure
hour. after arriving at this place, to
redeem my promise of giving you some
record of trip on an ocean steamer.
On the same day after leaving you, /
took passage over the Vandalia Route
to New York. / would recommend all
travellers geing East, when about half
way out. to put their watches forward
one hour, if they do not want to reach
New York ahead of time. You may
look this upand find out the reason
why.
/ reached Jersey City, opposite New
York. early Monday morning, in a
dense fog. Going on board ferry-boat,
on which there was not even good
standing room, we were all, in a few
minutes, landed in the great metropo-
lis of America. The day was spent in
sightseeing. First, to the old City
Hall. where we found many relies of
the oi,ien time: Washington's writing
table, army chest, &C., and many
paintings of old-time celebrities. The
new court house. which cost such a lot
of money, stands near, and is in striking
contrast with the old building. Near
this point IS the western terminus of
the great Brooklyn bridge, and, board
ing car, took ride over ii. But u
square or two from the eastern end of
the bridge Stands Plymouth Church,
and, of course, that spot, which is the
It is plain, unpretentious building of
brick, remarks BILE for it's spaciousness,
and because of having been occupied
by the greatest preacher of modern
times. Walking over the bridge on
my return trip, I had good view of
its imEiensity. 1t must be seen to be
appreciated. Viewed close at hand
and i'm crossing it, it seems a work of
impossibility by human hands. From
a point mile or two distant it seems
like dream in poetry. The elevated
street car road is an institution by it.
self, and great success. A ride of
folr miles to the Battery and Castle
Garden, a trip TO Bartholdi's Statue,
and a walk back to the hotel through
crowded Broadway, ends sightseeing
for the day.
The day following is bitter cold, and
so we keep close to the steam-pipes;
not venturing out except to the steam
ship office, where I learn that the r.
NJ. 5. Republic" will sail on the NOR
row at o'clock A. NJ.
Promptly at the time appointed, on
March 3oth, good-byes are said, pas
ashore as the last bell sounds the sig
nal, the hawser is east loose, and the
great ocean steamer moves majestically.
if it is backwards, from the pier crowd
ed aud crowded with people. Long
after faces or forms can be recog-
nized the waving of hats and handker-
chiefs is kept up on steamer and shore;
and two enterprising fellows on the
pier get up something as big as
blanket aud keep it going until blanket,
people, pier. and all fade into one in
distinct and indistinguishable mass.
now GO in search of warmer at
mosphere, and, strange to say, there
seems to be no provision for such emer-
geney. / can find no place where fire
can be seen. felt or smelled. The
Scotch and Englishmen about me seem
to suffer no Inconvenience; without
overeeats, muffiers or gloves, they go
in the most exposed places, and seem
utterly content and comfortable.
The wind had been blowing gale
for twenty-four hours, and it is freely
predicted that in two hours from 1eav-
ing the wharf we will strike rough
watsr. This idea carries with it no
comfort. However, we all go down
to lunch at one o'clock, having as yet
no unpleasant experience, except as to
cold. Going out of the harbor the OBJ
iacts OF interest are the bridge. the
shipping and the statue, Governors
Island and Harlem Heights, with two
lighthouses. Sandy Hook is soon
passed; the pilot is taken off; the wind
and cold drive all below; the afternoon
wanes; the last trace of land and habit
atioBs of men disappears. We are well
out on the beginning of our voyage;
with full head of steam, sails all set,
and dinner waiting below,
.sHy native land, good-nightw
The afternoon has been spent alter
nately between the "smoke-room' and